Last Friday evening my family and I went to the Forsyth Barr Stadium to watch a Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Blues. It was our first time to a game at the new stadium and, I have to say, the venue was as impressive as the game. Even though we sat in the in-goal corner area, our view of the field and football from an elevated position was great. The noisy support from the “Zoo” full of students (as well as some First Church people I recognised) was tremendous and evenentertaining during game stoppages. Our two boys, Tokerau jr. and Paul enjoyed themselves immensely, except for the fact that we did not give them a chance to get player autographs. After the game, we joined the droves of people streaming outside the stadium and onto the road and footpaths. Despite bumping into others due to the crowds on the footpaths and getting caught behind slow walkers, overall it was a wonderful experience. I say it was a good experiencebecause our team, the Highlanders, won. But, in all honesty, I’m not sure I could have really enjoyed the occasion if they had lost. If our team had lost, then, the cheering could have,instead, been booing. The walk home among the crowd might have been just as frustrating as the result of the game.

 It’s funny how one aspect of that event (a possible loss) could have totally changed the view of my whole experience. As people, we do get emotional about things that are important to us. I think our faith in God and life in the church are also important, and sometimes they are areas that can often bring about different feelings for people. In some of my pastoral contacts, I’ve heard people share their experiences of “highs” and “lows” in the church. In some ways, this is expected because we human beings are complex creatures in what we believe and how we live out those beliefs with one another. For those I spoke with, the main issues were not so much about beliefs, but about people. Interestingly enough, what was more important to them was not so much about beliefs, but people.

 Reflecting back on my experience at the rugby, I realise that the people made the experience for me. People were the ones playing the game on the field, making all the noise in the stands, making me frustrated and making me shout for joy. They were the ones angry at me for not getting autographs, but were also the ones with whom I shared some hot chips and walked alongside on the way home. The score might matter to some degree, but I think not as much as the people around you who shape your experiences. I think it is the same in the church.

 So, how do you feel about your faith and experiences here at First Church? Are you excited or enthusiastic about being part of what is going on here with everyone else? Do you recognise and appreciate the complex ways in which different things and people work together to make up your experience? Or are you frustrated and disappointed because your expectations are notbeing met; that a particular aspect of church life has not gone according to plan and, therefore, has cast a shadow over your experience of church as a whole? How much does your relationship with God and with others in the church mean to you?

 As a Christian community, our experiences together do not always reflect “how wonderful and how pleasant for God’s people to live together in peace and harmony” (Psalm 133:1). We know very well that the reality is just as messy as the anointing oil that flows all over the place (v. 2). Yet, even in the messiness and perhaps hopeful expectations of community life, God still

commands a blessing for his people (v. 3). In many ways, such blessings come to us through

others.

 SUNDAY WORSHHIP AT FIRST CHURCH

 10am Morning Worship,  12 noon Cook Islands Service,  2.00pm Samoan Service

Ministers: Revs Tokerau Joseph and Anne Thomson – Office Phone 477 7150